EMPORIA, Kan. – Junior Elijah Smith made the most of his opportunity at the 2026 NCAA DII National Championships, steadily moving through the field to place 13th in the 10,000m and earn Second Team All-American honors.

Smith stayed near the back of the pack early before making his first move at the 4,800m mark, climbing two spots into 17th place. After holding that position for two splits, he surged again between 6,000m and 6,400m to gain three more spots.

The junior remained composed as the lead pack began to separate and runners dropped off, eventually moving into 13th place, where he held steady through the finish. Smith closed with a 1:06.92 final 400m lap to cross the line in 30:03.92.

The national title went to Koby Fraaza (Grand Valley State) with a time of 29:20.62. Paul Knight (Mines) finished second in 29:22.11, followed by Julian Campos (Adams State) in third at 29:24.76.

Up next, Fort Lewis' Hannah Hartwell will compete in the women's 5,000m on Saturday at 5:55 p.m. Hartwell enters the race ranked 11th in the field with a season-best and personal-best time of 16:19.09. The RMAC will have six runners represented in the event.